COURSE SYLLABUS FOR BUSINESS LAW I

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INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a basic understanding of the legal system and its effect on our day-to-day activities. The primary emphasis will be in the area of business and business-related transactions. However, since individual rights and duties are the foundation of the rule of law, consideration will also be given to the impact of the law in other areas as well.

GOALS FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT - THE STUDENT SHOULD:

1. Strive to acquire an understanding of the basic terminology relating to the business legal field.

2. Use that understanding to increase his/her awareness of the existence of legal problems, either before they arise or in their early stages so that proper action can be taken.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

1. Text – Anderson’s Business Law And The Legal Environment, Comprehensive Volume, Tweny-first Edition, Twomey and Jennings, South-Western Publishing Co.

2. Free handouts from instructor.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Read carefully all assigned materials before class and be prepared to participate in class discussions. Your grade will reflect the amount of your preparedness and participation. You will also be better prepared for the examinations.

2. Examinations: There will be four examinations. Each examination will cover approximately one-fourth of the course material and will be worth 100 points. See the class schedule for the dates of the examinations.

Student grades will be awarded on the following standards:

360-400 = A 240-279 = D

320-359 = B 0-239 = F

280-319 = C

Students are encouraged to take their examinations at the regularly scheduled times. Before being allowed to take an examination at another time, the student must show the instructor good cause why the examination could not be taken at the regularly scheduled time. Such matters as needing more time to study for the examination or having another examination on the same day are not considered good cause.

In borderline cases, the student’s attendance and classroom participation will be considered in determining the final grade. But, attendance is required and expected. The student does not receive extra credit for good attendance.

There will be no curve, either up or down, used in the grading, nor will extra work be accepted for extra credit. The student cannot retake the exam.

ATTENDANCE: Attending class is very important! Students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings. An attendance record will be kept, and attendance will be considered when awarding grades—a student’s grade will be adjusted down if the student has a bad attendance record. More than three (3) absences during a semester is considered a bad attendance record. It is up to the student to ensure that he/she is counted present at each class period. If the student has any question as to whether he/she was counted present, the student should check with the instructor after that class period. The student should not wait until later to tell the instructor that he/she was present—the instructor has no way of knowing if the student was present during earlier classes.

TARDINESS: Each student is expected to be in the classroom and in his/her seat at the beginning of the scheduled class period. If the student is more than ten minutes late, he/ she will be counted absent.

WITHDRAWAL: Hopefully, each student will be able to finish the course. However, if a student cannot finish, it is up to the student to withdraw. The Instructor will NOT withdraw students. Each student is responsible for his/her own withdrawal.

INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY: The grade of “I” will only be awarded in rare circumstances. To be eligible for this grade, the student must have completed at least 50% of the course and agrees to complete the remainder of the course requirements to meet the standard for at lease the grade of “C” within the following semester. The student must arrange with the instructor for this grade prior to the end of the semester. Further, the student must show personal circumstances that prevent course completion that have occurred after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of W.

CELLULAR TELEPHONES AND TEXTING: Students should turn their cellular phones off while in the classroom. This includes vibrating cellular telephones. Also, the student should not send or receive text messages during class. Both of these activities are disturbing to other students.

OFFICE LOCATION AND OFFICE HOURS: Office hours are 30 minutes before class in the campus library and by appointment. The instructor’s telephone number at his private law office is 472-2057. His e-mail address is eingram01@att.net. He can also be reached at these locations for school-related matters.

STUDENT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their personal thought, research and self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests; quizzes; whether taken electronically or on paper, projects; either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.

CLASS SCHEDULE:

The specific schedule is distributed in class each semester.